Drum roll

The roll consists of an even reiteration of beats sufficiently rapid to prohibit rhythmic analysis.

The aim of a closed roll is to reproduce the effect of a sustained note on an instrument which inherently produces a short, staccato sound.

The benefit is that it makes all the rolls fit neatly into the music in time and is easier to count.

The drawback to this approach is that the player must count the beats of the music independently to, and in complete disregard of, the speed of the roll and the corresponding arm motion.

These additional rolls are possible and are taught in modern hybrid drumming and in older pre-NARD rudimental systems, as well as those from other countries, notably the Basel and Scotch cultures.

[15] During the American Civil War the long roll called the troops to assemble and signaled an attack.

Also, the six-stroke roll is often used in snare solo and marching percussion situations and is a favorite for jazz and rock drummers.

French and Dutch drumming include several variations on rolls with an uneven number of strokes between the hands.

For example, the French Bâton Melée, or mixed stick, can be played in repeating combinations of 3: RRL, LLR, RLL, or LRR.

Higher pitches on timpani require a faster roll to maintain a sustained sound; some timpanists choose to use a buzz roll on higher notes at lower volumes; although there is no definite rule, most timpanists who employ this technique do so on a high "G", and above.

But for xylophone and orchestra bells a much swifter roll is required, especially for rubber or plastic mallets.

A brass mallet used with orchestra bells will add extra vibration to aid in the smoothing of the sound.

To get these faster rolls, percussionists (keyboard, snare and timpani) all often use the muscles of their fingers instead of those of the wrists.

Immediately subsequent, at the bottom or end of the down stroke motion, the rim is contacted approximately 1 inch in front of the thumb and forefinger.

For the case of a snare drum and some other percussion instruments, rolls may be indicated by individual notes or with the use of tremolos, depending on the sheet music's notation.

RRLL or LLRR A triple slash indicates four diddles, playing two double strokes twice from each hand, that subdivides the note into eight.

Depending on the sheet music, individual notes with labeled sticking patterns can also be rolls.